Elk River, Minn. (Mar. 1, 1995) -- SolarAttic, Inc. announced today that it has developed a revolutionary new ventilation technology. The company plans to apply for a U.S. Patent by August. Edward G. Palmer, the company's founder, and U of M Professor Ephraim M. Sparrow invented the new technology. They originally conceived the technology as a method of enhancing attic heat collection. However, it has now expanded into a revolutionary new approach to the ventilation of attics.
Ed Palmer, SolarAttic's President and CEO, said: "Visualize a circular duct, at the attic's peak, with holes in it. The holes begin small at one end of the duct and get progressively bigger as you go down the length of the duct. At the other end, the duct is capped or sealed. This new duct allows uniform collection of air, heat and moisture along its entire length. It is flexible and easily adapts to odd shaped attics. The company can design it for any length, size or ventilation application. When attached to any of the company's attic-based heat exchange systems, heat transfer becomes more efficient. As an alternative, the duct attaches to a simple fan and exhaust port, with temperature and humidity controls. This creates a new ventilation product. The duct then becomes an efficient means of ventilating the attic from within the structure itself. The company calls this new product the `SolarAttic Ridge Ventilator.'
The `SolarAttic Ridge Ventilator' brings the building and energy industries a new ventilation strategy. It removes the need for roof vents by venting the attic from the inside. The company notes that attic ventilation as it now exists is highly unreliable and that a controlled method for ventilation is desirable. Building codes may require controlled ventilation of attics soon as ventilation is a serious concern. For example, Minnesota attics need ventilation in the winter to prevent moisture damage. They need ventilation in the summer to prevent heat damage. Summer ventilation also reduces air conditioning costs. The company's product focus remains on using this attic heat productively. However, the company now also has a more reliable ventilation method. SolarAttic owns 100% of the patent rights to the new technology. The company expects that the `SolarAttic Ridge Ventilator' technology will enhance its growth and revenue opportunities."
SolarAttic, Inc., manufactures proprietary and patented solar heating devices. These devices use the solar energy contained in hot attic air. The company's solar technology removes the need for roof-mounted solar collector panels. The company's products now heat residential swimming pools and provide auxiliary heat for homes. In addition, SolarAttic successfully tested a prototype of its water heating system at the 1994 Minnesota State Fair.
Based in Elk River, Minn., SolarAttic has been in business for nine years. Its pool heaters are already serving customers in 24 states. Its space heaters are serving customers in 6 states. Ed Palmer is the company's President and CEO.
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